Happy Birthday Chris

This blog is a day late but there was NO WAY I would have been able to get this posted yesterday (his actual birthday). Sunday's are always crazy days for us but good days. We started the morning off by bringing Chris breakfast in bed and the cards the kids made for him. They were so excited...they love birthdays.

Chris is the director in the 9th & 10th grade department at church and the students absolutely LOVE him and he loves the students as well. How could you not love Chris. There is not a more calm, fun, easy going guy in the whole world. Some of the girls in our dept. got him a "cookie cake" and we had a little party (including some silly string...I am so glad I'm not in high school anymore). Then Sunday night after church is "808". Usually everyone goes out to eat somewhere. Well, I had the idea of having everyone at our house. We had BBQ sandwiches, chips and a birthday cake. I bought 50 cups and we had to use some out of our cabinet. There were alot of people. A good friend of ours got everyone's attention to sing "Happy Birthday" and asked if anyone had anything to say. Christopher was the first one to say, "I do" and so sweetly said, "I love you Daddy." It was awesome.

Chris is amazing. I wish I could be more like him. He always knows the way to act, what to say, when to say, never says a harsh word (unless it's about OU football), treats everyone the same, loves and takes seriously his ministry at church, loves the kids wholeheartedly, and puts up with me and all my (as he calls it) picadillos. He makes my heart skip a beat when he comes in a room, calls, or just says, "Kel".

Chris, I love you!!!! Hope you had a Happy Birthday!!!

Kaibryn Sings

OK...I know, this is my third post today and you are probably thinking "she must do nothing but be on the computer all day." Please know that I'm not addicted to the computer. This is just too funny not to post.

Kaibryn and Daddy went on a date tonight. When they came home Chris said that Kaibryn had made up a song. Fortunately she sang it twice so I could get a recording of it. She was so proud of it.

Enjoy!!! Sorry the angle is off. I did not know how to straighten it up.

Maybe Next Time

Well, the weather today was beautiful, but windy. I thought that tonight it would be fun if we went on a picnic and let the kids play at the park. I made sandwiches and packed some chips and cookies...or should I say Kaibryn packed them. I postedd a picture of the immaculately packed bag. She took great pride in how she packed it and got very upset when Kaityn took the chips out of their space.

We decided to go to this little neighborhood park. When I got out of the car I realized very quickly that this was going to be a short evening. It was SO windy. I opened up the tablecloth for the table and immediately the wind blew it up. We anchored it down with food and other items. It did not really help much. Christopher's bag of Cheetos blew away and all our napkins. The kids then started complaining about it being cold so Chris had them get up and run in place and back and forth to another table. After a very quick bite (we will definately behaving snacks tonight) off to play they went. They were running around like they have never been out of the house before and poor Kaityn...it took all her strength to keep herself up on her feet. But even she enjoyed it.

Needless to say, maybe next time it won't be windy and cold.

Shots and Screams

Well, today was the day for Kaityn's 12 month check-up (even thought she is 13 months old now, I'm a little behind). She DID NOT like going. She is the only one of my four who will not sit still while being checked out. She screamed the whole time...poor Dr. Harvey. As soon as I picked her up she was fine. Then the dreaded nurse came in to give her 3 shots. She had a look of panic on her face. I felt so bad for her. She is a trooper though. She screamed but then again when I picked her up all was well.

Isn't that how it is with our Heavenly Father. Sometimes life makes you want to scream, there are painful circumstances and you wonder what is going on but when our Father picks us up all is well. I pray that all is well with you today (my 5 or 6 readers :) )


Cooper also had a Dr. appt. today the same time Kaityn did. My sweet sister-in-law came with me to help with Kaityn getting shots and Cooper having his ears checked. A few weeks ago we went to the Dr. for Cooper's ears and throat. Dr. Harvey was concerned about his ears because of all the negative pressure in both of his ears. He ran a test on both of them and found that his eustacian tube was not functioning properly. We went back today and his right ear is normal and his left ear is almost back to normal. He just has to finish up the medicine he is on right now. I am so thankful. Chris thinks I'm paranoid all the time when it comes to the kids and usually he is right (don't you hate that :)) so I am so thankful to the Lord answering prayers. We celebrated a good report from the Dr. by going to McDonald's. He thought I was the greatest. That's nice to know once in a while. If only we could eat at McD's everyday...just kidding.

Happy Easter!!!!

What a weekend!!!!! It was so busy. So fun. So tiring. As I am sitting here I am trying to recall everything that we did and my brain is a little foggy. I'm a little sleepy.

PaPa, Grana, Sophie (the dog) Uncle Michael and Aunt Candace came from Kansas City for a visit. The kids had alot of fun playing with them and every night were wiped out...the kids and adults. It's always fun when they come to town because it's' kind of a "mini vacation" for me. Even though I am with the kids I have extra help and get to sit down and relax a little bit.

Saturday night Chris and I went to bed earlier than normal. Chris had to be at church 4:00 A.M. Sunday morning for our pancake breakfast. This is the first time we have done this at church and I think all went well. I got the kids ready in their new easter clothes (including jackets and sweaters because it was so cold) and we walked out the door at 8:45 to go eat our pancakes. I met a friend of mine there with her two kids for help and support that morning in feeding many mouths. It was quite the sight. We walked into the fellowship hall...2 adults, a double stroller, a single stroller, and 3 children walking behind. We thought if we sat in the back of the fellowship hall we would be out of the way. We really did not think through that very well. Went we were finished and got up to leave, the same caravan had to weave our way through tables full of people. We were quite a site and got many funny looks. Fortunately there were some people who must have felt sorry for us because they helped us get drinks and kept asking if we were doing ok. The services Sunday morning were excellent. Our new pastor is amazing. Chris and I really love him. Once I got to the service and sat down there was a huge sense of accomplishment that I made it to church...early.

After church we headed to Harrah to Chris's grandparents house to hunt for easter eggs. When we first got there Christopher and Kaibryn hid the eggs and then said, "Go." Cooper got very upset because they "found" all the eggs and he only got one. After Harrah we headed to Choctaw for another easter egg hunt with my sister-in-laws family. There were kids everywhere. It is so fun to watch our kids with older kids. They took them under their wings and showed them where the eggs were hidden. They ran around, jumped on the trampoline, played on the swing set and ate pizza.

Needless to say, at the end of the day they were tired and they STUNK!!!!!!!! We took baths and headed to bed. Looking back on what seemed to be the longest day of my life I was reminded again how blessed I am. I am part of an amazing church family, have an amazing immediate family, and an amazing extended family. Without Christ I would be nothing and have nothing. I am so grateful for the gift of His Son who died for ME. I pray I never forget the feeling of the "lostness" I felt before I met Christ.

This is a busy week for us with lots of cleaning and birthdays. I hope everyone has a blessed week and I will blog again soon.

Big Church

This Sunday, Easter, at our church we are having a pancake breakfast and then our "Easter Encounter" service. This past Friday we went as a family and passed out flyers in our neighborhood. The kids were so excited and had alot of fun running from house to house putting them in doors. Cooper has just started going to "big church" with us on Sunday mornings and evenings. He does a really good job and looks forward to it.
Cooper went up to this one house where the man was working on his car. Cooper with all the enthusiasm of a three year old said, "Hi, come go to big church" and then ran off with a huge smile on his face. All I can say, "Cooper is Cooper." What a bubbly little spirit he has.

Little Cares

I just returned a little while ago from going to the grocery store. This is probably only the third or fourth time I have taken all four of the kids with me. It is usually quite the experience. This one was no exception...funny looks, funny comments and a near catastrophe. However, those stories are for another time.

I went to a place called "Aldi". Their prices are very good and it is small. However, to get a cart you pay a quarter (you get it back when you return the cart). Anyway, as I am heading there I realize I have no quarter. I looked all in my purse and car and realize I have used my quarters to teach the kids this past week about money and it was on the counter. Well, I knew I could go in and get change and then come back outside and get the cart. I also new that it was a big deal to get four kids in a store, get money, go back outside and then come back inside. Maybe it was more of an inconvenience for me. Well, I prayed real quick and just asked the Lord to show me a quarter so i did not have to do that. When I got out of the van I looked on the ground to see if maybe someone dropped one. They did not. So I just figured it was no big deal I would just go get change.

Well, we got to the door and an older gentlemen said, "It looks like you need a cart." I was so excited. I said "thank you" and told the Lord "thank you" and went inside to go get a quarter and give it to that kind man. God says to cast ALL our cares on Him...not just the big cares which I often think. He cares about the little things in life. I remember in our old house one time nothaving a candle and not having money to go get one. I prayed, realizing it was not a need but a want (I like our house to smell like something other than diapers). The next day was Sunday and a lady at church brought me a gift and do you know what it was...a CANDLE!!!! God cares about every minute detail of our life. He is a good and kind God and I am overwhelmed and in tears about how he cares for little 'ol Keli and a silly quarter.

The interesting thing to this story is that I never saw that man in the store. They were not busy and I'm sure I could have missed seeing him but I did not see him and I was actively looking.

Thank you Lord for caring about the small details of my life and that you are so trustworthy. Forgive me for making you small. Your love and concern for me is overwhelming & I praise You.

I'm Losing It...I Think...

This week has been one of those weeks where it has been VERY difficult for me to get out of bed which in return has made me feel like I have been one step behind everything...my kids, my organization, my cleaning (don't ask Chris about this one :) ), planning, etc. Yesterday, I managed to get up and out though, with all 4 kiddos, and do some shopping with my Mom. My Mom bought the girls matching dresses last year at the end of summer for Easter this year. Well, Kaibryn has grown SO much that the dress is WAY too short, so we went to find her another one and found one that she loves. While shopping I was thinking about the kids summer clothes and what they are going to need. At dinner last night I was talking to Chris and he said let's just go to my favorite store (Target) and get them a couple of things so off we headed to the store. First off, the kids did great. Chris asked them if they felt like they had done nothing but shop today and Kaibryn said, "Yes, we haven't had any time to play." (which really isn't true).
Many of my readers will understand this. Buying clothes for all four kids at the same time is overwhelming and confusing...even if you are only buying a couple of things. What will be versatile? What will be cheapest? What will be cutest (I'm a girl, ok!)? All four of the kids are in different sections of the store now. Christopher and Kaibryn are in the "boys" and "girls" section and Cooper and Kaityn are in the "baby" section. When I was looking at what was in the basket I had to start putting some stuff back. I had gone back and forth to the sections so much I had picked up multiples of the same thing. Usually I am so organized knowing what we need but not lately. My head was spinning last night. Chris took the kids to look at something so it was just me a Kaityn. At one point in the evening I looked at her looking at me and she had the strangest look on her face. I know she was wondering why I was talking to the air (out loud) and why I was asking her what she liked. I know people had to be looking at me funny as well.
Maybe it's because I am getting old. Chris and the kids get a kick out of reminding me of my age. Maybe it's because I've got 4 kids. Maybe it's just because I am being lazy in my organization. Maybe it is just because I needed some chocolate. But either way, hopefully I'm not the only one who feels like she is losing it some days. So needless to say, I have spent alot of time already this morning in prayer (and have had a little bit of chocolate...I told you that's my FAVORITE). I know today will be better. His mercies are new every morning.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!!!!

Thankful Thursday!!!

1. I am thankful today for children who (at times) love playing together.

2. I am thankful for the little hint of spring we have had this week.

3. I am thankful for children whose sunburns did not last too long. (Yes, please don't nominate me for mother of the year...they played outside and got a little too red yesterday)

4. I am thankful that we are going on a family vacation this year.

5. I am thankful for being able to get out of the house today and go shopping with my Mom.

6. I am thankful for a husband who will just call and see how things are going.

7. I am thankful for a husband who makes me laugh even when I don't want to.

8. I am thankful for my favorite snacks...chocolate chip cookies, chocolate cake, and a vanilla diet coke (easy ice).

9. I am thankful for friends who make me laugh and encourage me in the areas of being a wife and a mother.

10. I am thankful for my mother-in-law whose birthday today. Happy Birthday Karen.(Check back here later for a surprise...I can't get it to work right now). We love you!!!!!

Hope everyone has a great day.

"O give thanks to the Lord for He is good."

Sunshine

I am so thankful for the sunshine. I am so thankful for a backyard where I can let my kids go outside by themselves and I can see them. I am so thankful for windows all along the back of my house so no matter where I am I can watch the kids play. Yesterday was so fun. It was warm and the kids got to play outside all afternoon (literally). We usually play in the backyard but today we went to the front and they were able to ride their bikes and scooters. They loved it. They were pretending they were a taxi service. Christopher and Kaibryn's bikes would break down and then the taxi driver (Cooper) would come pick them up. They are so creative. I just got on one of the scooters and rode around...pretty boring mom :). They had a great time. The fresh air was good for them and me. It makes me look forward to the warmer months which are just around the corner.

ONLY 52 DAYS!!!! If I have to hear the countdown EVERYDAY, then I think all 5 of my viewers should have to count down with us.

Excitement At The Anderson House

Well, the date has finally been set and the kids are SO excited. We are going on the first ever Anderson vacation to San Antonio, Texas. We have gone places for a couple of days but not a week just by ourselves. We are going to go to spend a few days in San Antonio and take the kids to Sea World. Then we are going to go to Corpus Christi for a few days and let the kids see a real ocean. There have been several times where they have seen a lake or a river and have asked "Is that the ocean?" I have a feeling they are going to be overwhelmed. I'm working on making a "chart" that counts down to our trip. We probably told them too early. They are already asking "How much longer till we go to Sea World?" I kind of feel like the mom on the commercial about Disney World who asks the Dad if he can sleep and he says no I'm too excited. I am excited. I enjoyed going on vacations as a kid & I know the kids will enjoy it also. Only 53 more days.

My Kids Make Me Laugh...

I was just straightening up the living room and thinking how glad I am that the kids can play in our back yard and I can see them and not have to be out there with them (like at our other house). I'm a real wimp when it comes to outdoors, especially when it is not what I consider "warm". I was watching Kaityn eating something that looked like it had been laying around for quite a while. I also thought how amazing it was that she has eaten dog food and a crayon and has not gotten sick (she has done that in the past...not all today, yet!):).
About that time Kaibryn ran to the door and said, "Mommy, Cooper is drinking water out of the hose. Well, (my husband is going to get sick), yes, he was drinking out of the hose...the hose that has been sitting in the dog's water bucket (which is FILTHY). He was so proud of himself. He was putting water in Jenkins bowl and said, "Mommy, I did it all by myself." This also reminded me of the time I took the older three to Target and put Cooper in the basket. I noticed he had been quiet (that's not the norm) and looked down and he was sucking on a sucker which I had not given him. I asked him where he got it and said (with a smile) "I found it." Which then reminded me of another story that happened I think a week later from the Target incident. We went to the mall to let the kid's play. When we left they wanted to ride those "money guzzling" machines. Well, we looked over and right as Cooper took a drink out of a Sonic cup Chris grabbed it out of his mouth. This was NOT our Sonic cup. All of these things were done with a smile.
When people ask us to describe our kids we get to Cooper and say, "He's just Cooper." Everyone loves him and he makes us laugh. He is our little miracle who brings us great joy. Children (all our children) are truly a "gift from the Lord."

NaNa Day!!!

Happy Birthday Nana. We love you. Kaibryn is a little upset though that you did not invite her to your party. I tried to explain that we are going to have your party on Saturday but she wanted to be invited to your party TODAY. I guess since today is your birthday she expects you to have a party today. She also does not quite get that you are in Tenn. so if we were to be invited to your party we would not be able to make it. She is quite concerned.
Hope you have a great day>

Exhausted!!!!

That is the only way to describe how I am feeling right now. This has been a wild, crazy, and super fun day. The weather here in OKC has been absolutely beautiful the past couple of days. The kids have been playing outside quite a bit which in return has made the inside of my house smell like a locker room. I am constantly burning candles and giving them baths. It's amazing how badly they smell...they are so little. If anyone has any suggestions about how to get rid of the smell I would appreciate it. It is worth it though. They love it and have so much fun.
Today was no exception. The weather was gorgeous. Chris has been getting tickets to the OU basketball games and alternates which child gets to go. Today it was Cooper's turn...he was so excited. I decided (along with about 50,000 other Oklahomans) to take the other three to the zoo. Today further solidified in my mind why when I take the kids someplace they wear the same color (to keep up with them). OH MY GOODNESS!!!! It was packed but we managed to see EVERY animal except for the snakes. I was not about to backtrack (for the 3rd or 4th time) to see them. Plus, they kind of freak me out, even if they are in a glassed cage...what if it was to break. It could happen.
Even Kaityn had a good time. She barked like a dog at every animal...it was quite funny. However, most of her time was spent eating snacks, trying to pull off her socks and shoes, and just babbling to anyone who would listen to her. Christopher wanted to see the "cantalopes" AKA antalopes. Kaibryn just kept saying, "Oh Mommy, look, how cute."
After the zoo and the game we went to see some friends who just had a baby, went to dinner with some other friends (we have lots of friends :) ) & went shopping. Might I say we got some GREAT deals. I'm sitting here with Chris as he is watching "Tommy Boy" for the millionth time...quoting lines and laughing. He keeps saying he'll quit BUT it is still continuing which is making me laugh.
This has been a great day. I am so thankful for GREAT weather and am looking forward to warmer weather when we can do this more often.
Now, I am going to bed...GOOD NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!